Wolverine denning behaviour and its implications for monitoring reproductive females

Knowledge about the number of reproductive females is important for monitoring population dynamics, and can be critical managing human–wildlife conflicts. For wolverines Gulo gulo, counts basis estimates size in Scandinavia, as well a key measure compensation payments to Sámi reindeer-herders Sweden. However, documenting wolverine events field challenging requires knowledge female denning behaviour. Furthermore, may shift den sites, presenting difficulties determining whether two sites belong same or neighbouring females. In this study, we used data from 18 GPS-collared females, monitored intensively during season (15 February–31 May) 2004–2014, provide baseline information on We documented 32 54 potential seasons, identified total 245 sites. Females 8.8 ± 8.5 (mean SD) per (median = 6, range: 1–28). The site shifts, distance between subsequent time spent away increased season; while distances females' remained constant. From late April, consecutive by overlapped with resulting uncertainty regarding belonged one Using Bayesian modelling calculated probabilities that female, conditional These findings will allow program adapt its methods if multiple events, using seasonally-dynamic threshold based an understanding